Bill > H181

This bill, titled the "Massachusetts Travelers Bill of Rights," aims to protect consumers by requiring businesses that offer "international travel services" – defined as services for reserving lodging at overseas vacation destinations – to provide clear and conspicuous information about potential health and safety risks. "Business operators," which include entities providing access to these services or third parties offering them, must furnish details such as U.S. Department of State travel warnings and alerts, and specific information about onsite health and safety services available at the destination, including whether medical personnel, CPR-trained staff, AEDs, or trained lifeguards are present and available. If these services are not available or information about them is missing, a specific disclaimer must be provided, warning of increased health or safety risks. The bill also mandates that business operators establish a process to suspend offerings from destinations facing consumer complaints about poor medical care, unsafe facilities, or other health and safety issues. Violations will be treated as unfair or deceptive practices under existing consumer protection laws, and the "Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation" (the state agency overseeing consumer protection) is tasked with enforcing these provisions and issuing necessary regulations within six months of the bill's effective date.